Startmet SR 1000 mg Tablet

Composition of Startmet SR 1000 mg Tablet

Startmet SR 1000 mg Tablet contains Metformin hydrochloride sustained-release 1000 mg. It belongs to the Biguanide (insulin sensitizer) class of medicines.

Uses of Startmet SR 1000 mg Tablet

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (to control high blood sugar)
• especially in overweight patients; used alone or with other antidiabetic medicines along with diet and exercise.

Key benefits

• Lowers fasting and post-meal blood sugar
• Improves insulin sensitivity
• Helps reduce hepatic glucose production
• Weight-neutral or modest weight loss benefit
• Once-daily sustained-release formulation may improve tolerability

How Startmet SR 1000 mg Tablet works

Metformin reduces glucose production in the liver and decreases intestinal absorption of glucose. It also improves insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues, helping the body use insulin more effectively and lowering blood sugar.

How to take Startmet SR 1000 mg Tablet

Oral sustained-release tablet. Take exactly as prescribed, usually once daily with the evening meal or with food; swallow whole with water—do not crush, chew, or split. Maintain diet and exercise; monitor blood glucose as advised.

Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Do not change the dose or stop early on your own.

Missed dose and overdose

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is almost due, skip the one you missed — never take two doses together to catch up.

If you take too much

An overdose of this medicine can cause a dangerous build-up of acid in the blood, with vomiting, severe weakness and laboured breathing. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Startmet SR 1000 mg Tablet

Most side effects of Startmet SR are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• metallic taste
• flatulence

Stop the medicine and seek help immediately for a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor about any side effect that persists or worries you.

Safety advice for Startmet SR 1000 mg Tablet

Warnings and precautions

Contraindicated in severe kidney impairment; assess eGFR before starting and periodically. Risk of lactic acidosis (seek urgent care for rapid breathing, severe weakness, muscle pain, unusual sleepiness). Use caution in liver disease, alcoholism, dehydration, severe infection, and heart failure. Temporarily stop before/after iodinated contrast imaging or major surgery as advised. Long-term use may cause vitamin B12 deficiency; monitor if symptoms of anemia/neuropathy occur. Not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Do not take Startmet SR if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. Not for people with severe kidney disease, severe liver disease, or an acute illness causing dehydration. Not for people who have had diabetic ketoacidosis.

Interactions with other medicines

Alcohol (increases lactic acidosis risk), iodinated contrast media, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., topiramate, acetazolamide), cimetidine, diuretics, corticosteroids, beta-agonists, thyroid hormones, other antidiabetic medicines/insulin (may increase hypoglycemia risk when combined)

How to store Startmet SR 1000 mg Tablet

Store below 25°C in a dry place, protected from light and moisture. Keep in original strip/container and out of reach of children.

Expert advice for Startmet SR 1000 mg Tablet

Take it with or just after food to reduce stomach upset. Keep taking it even when your sugar readings look normal — that is the medicine working. Continue your diet and physical activity; this medicine works alongside them, not instead of them.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

SANZ PHARMACEUTICALS

Therapeutic class:

Antidiabetic

Drug class:

Biguanide (insulin sensitizer)